GDA Nursing Class Notes 36
NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION
•A nosocomial infection, also known as a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) or hospital-acquired infection, is an infection that a patient acquires while receiving medical treatment in a healthcare facility.
•These infections can occur in hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings.
•Common types include urinary tract infections (UTIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), bloodstream infections (e.g., sepsis), pneumonia (often associated with mechanical ventilation), and gastrointestinal infections.
INFECTION CONTROL
•Infection control refers to a set of practices and measures that are implemented to prevent the spread of infections within various settings, such as healthcare facilities, communities, and even households.
• The primary goal of infection control is to minimize the risk of transmitting infectious agents (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) from one person to another or from one surface to another.
INFECTION PREVENTION
•Hand Hygiene: Regular and thorough hand washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is crucial in preventing the spread of infections.
•Gloving
•the process of putting on disposable gloves as part of infection control and hygiene protocols.
•Healthcare professionals wear gloves to protect themselves and patients from the transmission of pathogens, bodily fluids, and contaminants.
•Isolation
•the state of being separated, detached, or cut off from others or one’s surroundings. It can manifest in various forms, including physical, social, emotional, or psychological isolation.
•Sterilization and disinfection
are two different processes used to eliminate or reduce the presence of microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores) from surfaces, equipment, or materials.
• They are commonly employed in healthcare settings, laboratories, food processing, and other industries to prevent the spread of infections and maintain aseptic conditions.